Lots O' Questions

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

<p>Okay, I've come up with alot of questions, and would appreciate it if somebody could answer in detail.</p>

<p>1.) Since there are different AP Physics tests, do I need to take different physics classes, or does "AP Physics" cover everything?</p>

<p>2.) How does "self-study" work? I mean, do you get an approved textbook, and learn everything on your own, then test for it? And, when testing, how successful do students tend to be? (anecdotes would be perfect for that one)</p>

<p>3.) Has anybody experienced any significant SAT score raising programs? By significant I mean anywhere between 50-100 point gain per section. I want to try one, but they're so expensive! Can anybody recommend anything I can do to raise them? I really mean ANYTHING; there's nothing I won't do. (If you say study, study what? I mean, for example, go back and review algebra?) Oh, and is there some secret list of SAT words that are usually in the test? (Mainly for the fill-in-the blanks... those kill me!!!)</p>

<p>4.) Which is correct, O', or 'O? (Title)</p>

<p>5.) What score is average for National Merit Scholars? (PSAT/NMSQT)</p>

<p>6.) And here's the vaguest: I've heard of tons of high school students doing "research", how is that? I'd have no idea how to even start, or what equipment I need. Any stories on that? Or any info. really.... anything.... REALLY...</p>

<p>7.) When's the time for SAT II's?</p>

2

<p>1) They're different classes. One is algebra-based (I believe that's B) and one is calculus-based (C). You take whichever one corresponds with your math level.</p>

<p>2) It depends on whether you're doing it for credit through school or independently. If through the school, I'm not sure. If on your own, you get a textbook and Kaplan/PR/etc. book to prep. As far as results, some do great, some don't. If you read Amazon reviews on prep books you'll see lots of kids who get in the 3-5 range self studying. Of course, others fail..it all depends on how well you prepare. If given teh opportunity, I'd do it through school.</p>

<p>3) I have. I raised my score 400 points (from a 1700 to a 2100) in just a week with my school's summer program, which unless you live in metro Detroit is unavailable to most people, but we base it off the Princeton Review method. We use their books, etc. Mainly it was the discussion of strategy (for example, in the CR where you fix things, 20% is correct as is - ALWAYS. Knowing that helps you to proofread effectively, and got my CR score from like 600 to 750.</p>

<p>4)</p>

3

<p>4) I believe it's O'.</p>

<p>5) somewhere in the 230-range, I think. I know someone who had a 225 and didn't get anything. So...it's high, basically. I'd say 760+ in each subject.</p>

<p>6) I don't think you buy equipment, you do it through a professional. IMHO, high school research is pointless - you don't learn anything, you don't usually do it yourself, 99% of the time a doctor/lawyer/professor parent hooked you up with it, and it's HIGH SCHOOL...this is just me, though. I'm somewhat anti-college prep research. Just a strange personal opinion.</p>

4

<p>Wow... 20% every single time?</p>

5

<p>Here's my take:
(take that jim rome!!)</p>

<p>1.) Chances are, if you school offers AP physics and only says that, it prepares you for the Physics B test. (which is a stupid name, because no Physics A test exists) If you want to take the physics that matters to colleges (i.e. Physics C) you may have to set something up with your teacher. Remember Physics C is 2 different tests graded seperatly.</p>

<p>2.) I did a self-study, so I'll be some help. I realized that I didn't want to take lunch Junior year (anorexia is phat), so I petitioned my GC to let me indepently study micro AND macro economics. I told her I would watch introductiory DVD obtained from <a href="http://www.teach12.com%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.teach12.com&lt;/a> and then read a text book (and take a poop load of notes) for each course. However, since at my non-competitve school, this is a novel Idea, I waited a whole month before I was aloud to start. It was a great experience, because I had no homework, had no tests or quizes, just did everything dilligently everyday. My "advisor" didn't know how to teach the course, but I didn't need him too. Took that AP test, got a 5 (micro) and a 4 (macro) (I did macro last and didn't spend enought time going over it.) </p>

<p>3.) I have never done these programs but I can tell you that they are a waste of money. If you want to raise your essay tee score, read a lot of well written works, memorize grammar rules and learn how to master your TI 84. Then buy a SAT 2400 book and learn the tricks to the hard questions. Then buy a blue book and kick some prictice test butt. </p>

<p>4.) O' becasue it is really a contration for Of, so like in cannot (can't) the ommited part is represented with an apostrophie </p>

<p>5.) It depends on your state, but I think you'll need a 225-230 (somewhere there is a link, use the search box)</p>

<p>6.) Ok well, I personally havn't heard 2000+ students doing research, because it is very uncommon. This only really occurs for the top students at top prep schools. You can see if anyone at you local high school/college could use a research assistant, which requires a lot of asking around. However, this is not a nessecary thing to do for college. (when I visited Caltech they made it clear that you don't have to be a student of caltech or even a high school graduate to pariticpate in the SURF program, you might want to check that out)</p>

6

<p>Blast beaten! O and for my independent study I got 2.5 credits.</p>

7

<p>I'm not really looking to do "research" because I think it's pretty much pointless, since it's not like we're really doing anything but learning in a different way... it seems to me... </p>

<p>By the way, "essay tee"... I LOVE THAT!!!</p>